Japanese culture, it would seem, has always contained a rich vein of magic, mysticism and mind power running through its myths and legends. Is there any connection between this tradition and modern-day UFO sightings? According to Junichi Kato, Director of OUR-J (The Organisation of UFO Research, Japan), there is.
OUR-J’s web site documents some interesting parallels between traditional Japanese monsters and goblins, and the various types of “aliens” supposedly encountered by UFO abductees and others. But for me, what is even more fascinating is Mr Kato’s self-professed telepathic power, including an apparent ability to “call” UFOs virtually at will.
The OUR-J site documents the organisation’s regular “UFO watches”, where Kato and his colleagues telepathically call UFOs to hover over them. Incredibly, as the site documents, Japanese national TV has even televised these happenings. Kato has also appeared on many talk shows to air his views.
Junichi Kato is a friendly, affable person with an ability he wants to share. According to him, anyone can harness telepathy; anyone can contact a UFO. And he is quick to point out that, while this may seem crazy to my Western mind, it is not so unusual to the Japanese. As Kato explains, within the Japanese psyche is the concept of “occasional non-verbal communication with each other”, ingrained within all orders of social interaction. This is represented in the Japanese language. The word “ishin-den-shin”, for example, means “to convey one’s mind to another without any voice”, while “anmoku-no-ryoukai” means “tacit understanding”.
Thus, says Kato, it is easy for him to gather Japanese from all walks of life at an OUR-J UFO Watch, guiding them into a group mind for the express purpose of calling upon UFOs to appear. OUR-J has documented all types of UFOs at these watches, from fireballs to triangles, to the more familiar boomerang, cigar and saucer-shaped objects. But when pressed as to what is actually controlling these objects, or where they come from, Kato remains tight-lipped. Is it all in the mind, then?
Many thanks to Toshie Nakagawa for his translation of Mr Kato’s answers.
Junichi, how did you become interested in UFO research?
When I was five, I saw a huge orange, oval-shaped object in the sky with my little brother and some friends. It was in my hometown of Akita City. The phenomenon has been attracting me ever since.
In your time with OUR-J, which case has stood out the most?
There are too many – each is special to us. However, I would like to note what I saw on April 30 this year. I was working in the OUR-J office, and it was 2:30 am. I finished up, left the office building and looked up at the sky with no intention. There, I saw a strange object at about a 40-degree altitude, slowly passing through the office buildings. It looked like a big shooting star, and there was no sound coming from it. The object was illuminated and gave off a red, pulsing light.
What other UFO groups operate in Japan? Do you share ideas and resources with them?
We at OUR-J do not have any relationship with other groups. In Japan, there are some so-called “contactee” or “channelling” groups, but they just worship “space visitors” for religious reasons and usually do not research or investigate the UFO phenomenon itself. They just want to believe in something that they have yet to see, without any research.
There is a self-proclaimed “UFO researcher” who occasionally appears on Japanese TV, often saying he has had contact with UFO occupants. And then there are a lot of people who say that UFO contactee and contact stories are all meaningless and nonsense. Conflicts of extremes: this is the recent situation of ufology in Japan.
The OUR-J web site states that there are three types of extraterrestrials visiting Earth. What evidence do you have for this?
The theory of three types of ET is based on Japanese myth and legends – we just point out the possibility of them being from outer space. But this is all under investigation, and we hope to have more information soon. I can’t comment any further on this.
Have you ever seen an extraterrestrial?
Sorry. I do not want to comment on this.
The OUR-J web site states that “most UFOs and ETs are not harmful”. How do you know this?
I have encountered UFOs so many times and have been lucky to have photographed and even videotaped them, as have other OUR-J members. But we have never been attacked or damaged by them. I think Earthlings are a much more dangerous presence. I guess you see what I mean!
Reading your web site, it seems that OUR-J believes that most UFOs are extraterrestrial. Is this the case?
We do not say that most UFOs are of extraterrestrial origin, but we feel there is a possibility of some of them being of ET origin, like the ones that show up and act as if they are responding to our telepathy. Many UFO photos we have taken indicate some significant differences from terrestrial flying objects, such as planes or satellites. And we always carefully check the object in the sky by using binoculars, telephoto lens and other devices.
Above all, it is quite significant and very mysterious that some of the objects we sight respond to our telepathy. Balloons, planes or helicopters don’t do that. I would like to emphasis here that it is TRUE they are responding to our thoughts. Although we have yet to find any clue that these objects are from another planet, we think we should still note such unusual cases.
Can you explain a little about the telepathic method you use? Why do you think UFOs are responding to you in particular?
I don’t know why it’s me – I think you’d better ask “them”! But human interactive relationships start with acceptance. I think that UFOs, at least, accept my desire for contact and they appear as I wish. I believe that some “communication” exists between them and me. But I don’t think I am a special person – you can do the same if you really wish! Do you go out watching the sky for long hours every night and day? I don’t think a lot of people do this. I am a merely a person who just seeks contact and never gives up. I believe that anyone has the potential for telepathic power and to communicate with these objects, whatever they are.
When you have a feeling that a UFO is about to appear, can you explain the sensation you get?
Mostly they appear clearly in the day, but from time to time I have seen a UFO significantly lit-up at night. Sometimes it feels as if there’s something right in front of me, something I can touch. Sometimes, in my mind, I see occupants inside a UFO. Occasionally, I receive a symbolic sign or image, quite vividly. Basically, the feeling at the time is very exciting and I am most grateful for it. It feels like seeing someone you have been longing for very much. Sometimes I receive a great impression, as if a chord is struck deep inside me, loosening the tension of telepathic calling.
Often, before a UFO appears, I feel a soft yet significant vibration on my forehead; after the vibration, I sometimes get a breakthrough inspiration. I think they may be trying to make us more aware and open to something invisible, yet very important.
Have you always had the gift of telepathy?
What is “telepathy”? For me, it is not a voice echoing in my head or a word in any language. It is a significant “impression” – a feeling – sent into my mind. I just translate it into words. I believe that telepathy is a great communication tool for anybody, as it does not depend on any language.
Is it unusual in Japan to call UFOs telepathically?
I am not sure. For me, it is quite usual as it is on an everyday level!
Can you explain about your “dramatic UFO encounter at Inokashira Park”, briefly mentioned on the OUR-J web site; why was it dramatic?
I prefer to keep this confidential.
What is the most famous case in Japanese UFO history?
Many cases have been reported in Japan, but I guess there are two very famous occasions. One concerns the Japan Air Lines pilot, Captain Terauchi, who saw a huge UFO in the air in 1986. He testified that the object was so bright it was able to light up the whole cockpit. The consequences became disgraceful for Captain Terauchi, as it was said he had only seen Venus or Jupiter. But he was an ex-SDAF officer; would anyone who has military training mistakenly verify Venus or Jupiter as a UFO?
The other famous Japanese case is the “Kaiyo-Maru Incident”. The Kaiyo-Maru was a Japanese ocean research boat, which captured on radar a huge, unknown object circling above it. The crew confirmed with their own eyes that there was such an object, with light and sound coming from it.
Is there a major UFO “hot spot” in Japan?
Definitely it is Meiji-jingu in Tokyo. This started with the mass sighting of an amazing formation there on 10 October, 1999. After that, OUR-J members saw UFOs many times over the area; there were at least nine major sightings reported by OUR-J in 2000. A couple of years before the formation sighting, I had several successful sightings using my telepathy. It is not only our members – others have witnessed UFOs over Meiji-jingu.
The phenomenon keeps happening and it seems to never stop. The famous Japanese mystery magazine, MU, featured a Meiji-jingu sighting by a resident of the area, who saw and photographed a UFO there in April 2001.
Does the area have any spiritual significance?
For the Japanese people, Meiji-jingu is a monumental building dedicated to the Gods, a place for people to visit and worship, and also to feel comfort. Luckily, we have such a huge, quiet place in the centre of Tokyo; you can keep watching the sky with relaxing feelings in the comfortable environment.
Where do you go to on your “Domestic Research Tours”?
OUR-J is very interested in researching Japan’s megalith monuments. On our domestic tours, we usually go up to the mountains to seek huge, mystical stones. Sometimes we come across very mysterious, Stonehenge-like monuments behind shrines and so on. In Japan, such mystical monuments are untouchable; no one takes the stones to investigate. They just lay there impressively and we enjoy watching them during our hiking tours.
Do you think governments – America’s, in particular – are behind the UFO mystery? Could UFOs be a manifestation of secret military technology?
It cannot be denied that there’s the possibility of a so-called “shadow government” involved in UFO issues, especially militaristically.
In other countries, UFO research is often the target of abuse and ridicule from the media. Do you get much support from the Japanese media?
It is hard to say that all media supports us, but lately the CSTV channel decided to launch a regular UFO show with me as the host. I have also noticed that some media – TV, radios and magazines – are becoming more favourable and less open to ridicule in their attitudes. That is a good thing for us. We won’t be on their TV shows if they are taking the issue as a joke.
But usually TV people care only about the ratings and they put in anything to hook the audiences. As a result, people get more confused about the issue from watching the show. Under such circumstances, we fax monthly UFO information and OUR-J news releases to about 100 media groups and organisations. This constant action makes them understand our value.
When you have appeared on TV and radio shows, what has been the reaction from the hosts and audience?
Of course, I select and carefully observe the details and planning of the shows I appear on, but sometimes they put a useless commentator with me. So when I discuss the show with the TV producers and directors, I always talk on this subject because I want them to understand UFO history. I often explain the basic patterns of UFO encounters and UFO history that we have learned from the serious researchers and experiencers around the world.
I think that should be the fundamental stance of ufology and ufologists. I would be very happy to become a guide to people who are seriously interested in UFO study, and to people who just love UFOs for their image; and even to people who do not have the slightest interest!
How does the general public react to UFO sightings? Do you get much support from them? Do you get any abuse?
They are often surprised, as well as moved. But there are some with no interest in UFOs. However, once we take them out on a UFO Watch and UFOs appear…well, everybody can see them regardless of their beliefs. And I think it’s enough for now. I don’t understand why we are to be attacked.
Does OUR-J enjoy cooperation and support from the scientific community? Do you work in isolation?
We don’t have support, but we are not isolated either. Maybe our activities have not become a big movement yet. From that point of view, I think I should expand my personal connections more. But for now, we are trying our best within our capacity.
What does OUR-J hope to achieve with its research and investigations? Do you see an eventual outcome – pressuring
the government to release documentation, for example?
I want to systematise UFO study because I believe that studying them will give us a hint to solving our own problems on Earth. And please look up at the sky, instead of pressuring governments to release documents. It is obvious that UFOs do exist. So I will not devote my energy to such matters. I know it is a necessary thing, but document is just document. I don’t want to be bothered by them. Don’t you think it is more practical to pursue real experience?
I want to ask every reader: do you believe anything without authority’s recognition? If authority doesn’t approve it, can you declare the existence of UFOs? They are surely flying in our sky and around the universe. Document is only a method to support this fact.
LINKS
Organisation of UFO Research, Japan: www.our-j.com